JP2004109408A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an image carrier from being damaged and also to surely close an apparatus cover at a transportation time or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A lever member 41 is provided so as to be freely turnable to a first position where the apparatus cover AC is closed by preventing the protrusion 44 of the apparatus cover AC from interfering the lever member 41 by making a transfer member abut on the image carrier, a second position where the apparatus cover AC is not closed by making the protrusion 44 of the apparatus cover AC interfere the lever member 41 by separating the transfer member from the image carrier and a third position where the apparatus cover AC is closed by separating the transfer member from the image carrier and also preventing the protrusion 44 of the apparatus cover AC from interfering the lever member 41. Then, the lever member 41 is fixed at an apparatus main body with tape for transportation (holding member) or the like by setting the lever member 41 in a state that the transfer member is separated from the image carrier as the third position at the transportation time, and the apparatus cover AC is closed and packed up and transported. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer. Among them, the present invention is particularly applicable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a charged toner image, a transfer member that is disposed to face the image carrier, and transfers an image to a transfer material, a transfer material carrier that conveys the transfer material, A fixing unit for fixing an image transferred to the conveyed transfer material is provided.
[0003]
The transfer member is provided on a case-like support member provided inside the belt-like transfer material carrier wound around a plurality of transport rollers in the rotational direction. One end of the support member is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft of the transport roller and supported. On the other hand, below the other end of the support member, a lever shaft into which a cam is press-fitted is rotatably provided on a side plate supporting the transfer material carrier, and the support member moves the other end of the support member downward by the cam. We support from.
[0004]
A lever member for rotating the lever shaft is fixedly provided at one end of the lever shaft. When the lever member is rotated, the cam is rotated accordingly, and when the support member is rotated up and down around the rotation axis, the transfer member in the support member is imaged with the transfer material carrier interposed therebetween. It comes into contact with and separates from the carrier.
[0005]
When the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is in a transfer position in contact with the image carrier via the transfer material carrier, and when the lever member is turned to the second position, the transfer member is in the image support position. A non-transfer position that is separated from the body. The non-transfer position is switched only when the transfer member or the transfer material carrier is removed for repair.
[0006]
On the other hand, the apparatus main body is covered with a case having an openable and closable apparatus cover with an interlock function on the front side, and a projection is provided integrally with the apparatus cover inside the apparatus cover. The projection can close the device cover so as not to interfere with the lever member when the lever member is in the first position, and when the lever member is turned to the second position by lowering the support member so as to lower the support member. The device cover does not close due to interference with the members.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, the transfer member is separated from the image carrier by setting the lever member to the non-transfer position only at the time of repair. When the image forming apparatus is transported at the time of shipping, for example, when the image carrier is in contact with the image carrier, the image carrier and the transfer material carrier rub against each other due to vibration or the like, and the image carrier is scratched, and an image is formed during image formation. There is a problem that the image is disturbed or a clear image cannot be formed.
[0008]
On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus is transported, if the lever member is set to the non-transfer position and the transfer cover is separated from the image carrier and the device cover is to be closed, the protrusion of the device cover interferes with the lever member. There is a problem that it cannot be closed and is difficult to transport.
[0009]
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to prevent the image carrier from being damaged during transportation or the like, and to allow the apparatus cover to be securely closed.
[0010]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of operating reliably with a relatively large margin.
[0011]
A third object of the present invention is to secure a stable operation by reliably holding a lever member.
[0012]
A fourth object of the present invention is to secure a stable operation by securely holding a lever member without increasing the number of parts.
[0013]
A fifth object of the present invention is to eliminate the trouble of operating the lever member after transportation or the like and to simplify the work.
[0014]
A sixth object of the present invention is to reduce sorting work when recycling an image forming apparatus.
[0015]
A seventh object of the present invention is to detachably attach a projection to an apparatus cover without using a separate member.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, when the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is set to a transfer position in contact with the image carrier, and the projection of the device cover is While it is possible to close the device cover so as not to interfere with the lever member, when the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is in a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, In the image forming apparatus in which the protrusion of the device cover interferes with the lever member and the device cover cannot be closed, when the lever member is in the third position, the transfer member is separated from the image carrier. In addition, the apparatus cover can be closed such that the projection of the apparatus cover does not interfere with the lever member.
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the third position is set outside the range from the first position to the second position in order to achieve the second object. Is provided.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the lever member is held at the third position by a holding member. And
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the projection of the apparatus cover also serves as the holding member. Features.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the lever member is moved from the third position to the second position. A biasing member for biasing in the direction of.
[0021]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the lever member is set at the first position, the transfer member is set at a transfer position where the transfer member is in contact with the image carrier, and the projection of the device cover is formed. While it is possible to close the device cover so as not to interfere with the lever member, when the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is in a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, In an image forming apparatus in which a projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member to make it impossible to close the device cover, the projection can be detached from the device cover.
[0022]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the sixth object, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the protrusion is made of the same material as the device cover.
[0023]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the seventh object, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the protrusion is directly fitted to and attached to the device cover.
[0024]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the sixth object, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the projection is attached to the device cover using a fixing member made of the same material. Features.
[0025]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is set to a transfer position in contact with the image carrier, and the protrusion of the device cover is set to achieve the first object. While it is possible to close the device cover so as not to interfere with the lever member, when the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is in a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, In the image forming apparatus in which the projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member to make it impossible to close the device cover, the lever member is detachable at the second position.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a small color printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0027]
Reference numeral A in the figure denotes a printer main body. In the apparatus main body A, a transfer material transport path P is provided diagonally from the lower right to the upper left in the figure.
[0028]
On the transfer material transport path P, four monochromatic image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in order from the lower right to the upper left along the transport path P to form a tandem type. Prepare. Each monochrome image forming means 10 is composed of an image carrier unit 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12B and a developing unit 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B. Each image carrier unit, which will be described in detail later, includes drum-shaped image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B, respectively.
[0029]
On such a single-color image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B, a writing unit 16, which will be described in detail later, is provided obliquely along the single-color image forming means 10.
[0030]
On the other hand, below the single-color image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B, an endless belt-shaped transfer material carrier 18 is stretched across the transfer material transport path P. In the illustrated example, the transfer material carrier 18 is wrapped around a support roller 19 and an exit roller 191 to contact the image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B, and to provide a part thereof along the transfer material transport path P. The driving device shown in the drawing allows the paper to be rotated and conveyed counterclockwise in the drawing.
[0031]
Inside the transfer material carrier 18, backup rollers 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B and transfer rollers 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21B are arranged corresponding to the image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B, respectively. . The backup rollers 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20B bring the transfer material carrier 18 and the transfer material into close contact with the image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B. A transfer bias is supplied to the transfer rollers 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21B from a power source (not shown).
[0032]
Along the transfer material transport path P, a registration roller pair 23 is provided at an upstream position of such a transfer material carrier 18, and a fixing unit 24 is provided at a downstream position. The fixing unit 24 is configured such that a pressure roller 26 is pressed against a fixing belt 25 which is an endless belt, and a discharge roller pair 27 is provided at an outlet.
[0033]
A reversing unit 29 is provided at a position downstream of the fixing unit 24 by being attached to the apparatus main assembly A. The reversing unit 29 discharges the transfer material as it is, reverses and discharges the transfer material, or returns the transfer material to the apparatus main body A again.
[0034]
Further, at a position downstream of the fixing unit 24, a reversing discharge path P1 is formed by branching off from the transfer material transport path P, and the transfer material is discharged to the discharge stack unit 30 on the apparatus main body A first. A discharge roller pair 31 is provided.
[0035]
On the other hand, below the transfer material carrier 18, a re-feed unit 33 for guiding the transfer material inverted by the reversing unit 29 between the pair of guide plates 32 and re-feeding the same along the extending direction is provided. Arrange diagonally.
[0036]
Below the re-feeding unit 33, a sheet feeding cassette 34 is provided in two upper and lower stages. In the paper feed cassette 34, transfer materials of different sizes, such as paper and OHP films, are stacked and stored. Then, a paper feed unit 35 for separating and feeding the transfer materials one by one is provided.
[0037]
On the right side of the paper supply unit 35 in the drawing, a transfer material supplied from the paper supply unit 35 and a transfer material re-supplied through the re-feed unit 33 are guided to the registration roller pair 23 in the transfer material transport path P. A paper feed path P2 is provided.
[0038]
A manual feed portion is provided on the right side of the apparatus main body A in the figure, and a manual feed tray 36 is attached to the manual feed portion so as to be freely opened and closed. The manual feed unit is provided with a paper feed unit 37 that separates and feeds the transfer materials on the manual feed tray 36 one by one, and guides the transfer material fed from the paper feed unit 37 to the registration roller pair 23. A paper path P3 is provided.
[0039]
Now, when an image is recorded on a transfer material using this color printer, the paper supply unit 35 is selectively driven based on, for example, a signal from the host, and the transfer material in one paper supply cassette 34 is removed by one. The sheet is separated and fed out one by one, and is fed into the sheet feeding path P2, and is stopped by abutting against the registration roller pair 23. Alternatively, the manual paper feed unit 37 is driven to separate and feed out the transfer materials on the manual feed tray 36 one by one, and then put into the manual paper feed path P3 to hit the registration roller pair 23 and stop.
[0040]
On the other hand, in the single-color image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B, the individual image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B are rotated to form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black single-color toner images on the respective image carriers. To form At the same time, one of the three support rollers 19 or the outlet roller 191 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and the remaining one is driven to rotate, so that the transfer material carrier 18 is rotationally conveyed.
[0041]
Then, the registration roller pair 23 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the image carrier, the transfer material is put into the transfer material transport path P, and the monochrome image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10B, the transfer material carrier 18 and The transfer material is conveyed by rotating and conveying the transfer material carrier 18. Along with the conveyance, the single-color toner images on the individual image carriers 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14B are transferred by the transfer rollers 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21B, and a combined full-color image is recorded on the transfer material.
[0042]
The transfer material after the image transfer is sent to the fixing unit 24, where the transfer image is fixed, and then discharged by the discharge roller pair 27. When the paper is discharged in a face-down state, the paper is switched by a switching claw (not shown) to the reverse paper discharge path P1, discharged by the discharge roller pair 31, and stacked on the paper discharge stacking unit 30 in the page order.
[0043]
When the paper is discharged in a face-up state, it is switched by a switching claw (not shown), guided to the reversing unit 29, and directly discharged as it is.
[0044]
When recording is performed on the back surface of the single-side recorded transfer material, similarly, the recording paper is switched by a switching claw (not shown), guided to the reversing unit 29, reversed by the reversing unit 29, and then guided to the re-feeding unit 33. Then, the sheet is re-entered into the sheet feeding path P2, and hits against the registration roller pair 23 to be stopped.
[0045]
Then, the sheet is again put into the transfer material transport path P, sent between the single-color image forming means 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B and the transfer material carrier 18 to record a synthetic full-color image on the back surface. The sheet is fixed at 24, and is discharged by the discharge roller pair 31 through the reverse discharge path P <b> 1, for example, and is stacked on the discharge stack unit 30.
[0046]
Meanwhile, a case-like support member 40 as shown in FIG. 2 is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft 191 a of the exit roller 191 at one end inside the rotation direction of the transfer material carrier 18. Inside the supporting member 40, a transfer roller (transfer member) 21B and a backup roller 20B are provided in parallel with the exit roller 191. The rotating shafts of the transfer roller 21B and the backup roller 20B are supported by bearings (not shown) mounted in the support member 40 via coil springs. Note that this bearing is urged upward by a coil spring.
[0047]
On the other hand, below the other end of the support member 40, a lever shaft 41a is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown) that supports the transfer material carrier in parallel with the rotation axes of the transfer roller 21B and the backup roller 20B. . A locking member is fixed to the lever shaft 41a. One end of a torsion spring (biasing member) is attached to the locking member, and the other end is mounted to the side plate. It is biased around. Two cams 41b are press-fitted into the lever shaft 41a, and the support member 40 is supported by the cam 41 from below against the gravity, and the lever member 41 is fixed to one end of the lever shaft 41. Is established.
[0048]
In FIG. 1, the apparatus main body A is covered with a case (not shown) having an openable and closable apparatus cover with an interlock function on the front side, and a projection is provided inside the apparatus cover. And provided integrally.
[0049]
Next, the relationship between the rotation position of the lever member 41 and the protrusion provided inside the apparatus cover will be described. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 3A, when the lever member 41 is at the first position, the transfer roller 21B is in contact with the image carrier 14B via the transfer material carrier 18 in FIG. Become. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lever member 41 is at a position where it does not interfere with the projection 44, and the device cover AC can be closed.
[0050]
Then, in FIG. 3A, when the lever member 41 is manually rotated in the direction of arrow a against the urging force of the torsion spring to be in the second position as shown by a dashed line, the cam 41b in FIG. Rotates in the direction of arrow c, and the support member 40 follows the cam 41b and rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 191a of the exit roller 191 as shown by arrow d. Then, a non-transfer position where the transfer roller 21B is separated from the image carrier 14B is set. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the lever member 41 cannot interfere with the projection 44 to close the device cover AC.
[0051]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the lever member 41 is manually turned in the direction of arrow b from the second position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line against the urging force of the torsion spring to the third position, 2, the cam 41b further rotates in the direction of arrow c, and the support member 40 further rotates in the direction of arrow d about the rotation shaft 191a of the outlet roller 191 following the cam 41b. Then, the transfer roller 21B is further separated from the image carrier 14B. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lever member 41 is at a position where it does not interfere with the projection 44, and the device cover AC can be closed. In this example, the third position is provided outside the range from the first position to the second position, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0052]
Further, a lock mechanism (not shown) is provided on the lever shaft 41a, and the lever shaft 41a is locked between the first position and the second position to prevent the urging force of the torsion spring provided on the lever shaft 41a. The rotation of the lever shaft 41a can be stopped. On the other hand, when a turning force is further applied to the lever member 41 by hand against the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism is released, and the lever shaft 41a can rotate.
[0053]
At this time, the lock mechanism does not function at the third position, so that when the lever member 41 is released, the lock mechanism is rotated to the second position by the urging force of the torsion spring, and is locked at the second position. Works and stops rotating.
[0054]
When transporting the thus-configured small color printer, the apparatus cover AC is opened, and the lever member 41 at the first position is manually rotated to the third position. Next, the lever member 41 is fixed to a side plate or the like of the apparatus main body A with a transport tape (holding member) for holding the lever member 41 at the third position. Then, the device cover AC is closed and packed, and then transported. After the transportation, when the packing is opened, the device cover AC is opened, and the transport tape is removed, the lever member 41 at the third position returns to the second position by the urging force. Further, the lever member 41 is manually rotated to return to the first position, and the device cover AC is closed. It is preferable that a filament tape be used as the transport tape as the holding member.
[0055]
The holding member for holding the lever member 41 at the third position is not limited to the transport tape, and for example, the protrusion 44 of the device cover AC may also serve as the holding member. In this case, when the package is opened and the device cover AC is opened once after the transportation, the projection 44 holding the lever member 41 at the third position is separated from the lever member 41, and the lever member 41 is pressed by the biasing force of the torsion spring. To return to the second position.
[0056]
[Second embodiment]
Next, another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus of this example is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration and operation of the device cover AC and the lever member 41, and the other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0057]
In the small color printer of this example, a non-fitting portion is provided on the device cover AC, and the protrusion 44 is removable. Further, the lever member 41 is configured to rotate only between the first position and the second position.
[0058]
When transporting the thus-configured small color printer, the apparatus cover AC is opened, and the lever member 41 at the first position is manually rotated to the second position. Next, the projection 44 attached to the device cover AC is removed, and the device cover AC is closed. At this time, since the device cover AC does not have the protrusion 44 that interferes with the lever member 41, the device cover AC can be closed.
[0059]
Then, after the protrusion 44 removed together with the small-sized color printer is packed, it is transported. After the transportation, the packing is opened, the device cover AC is opened, the fitting projection of the projection 44 is fitted into the fitting groove of the device cover AC, and the projection 44 is attached to the device cover AC. Is rotated by hand, returned to the first position, and the device cover AC is closed. The projections 44 may be made of the same material as the device cover AC.
[0060]
Further, in the above-described example, the non-fitting portion is formed in the device cover AC, and the projection 44 is directly detachably fitted to and attached to the device cover AC. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after attaching the projection 44 to the device cover AC, the projection and the device cover may be fixed using a fixing member such as a screw made of the same material as the device cover.
[0061]
[Third embodiment]
Next, still another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus of this example is different only in the configuration and operation of the device cover AC and the lever member 41, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and therefore, the description is omitted.
[0062]
In the small color printer of this example, the projections 44 are integrated with or fixed to the device cover AC. The projection 44 is provided with a clearance so as not to interfere with the lever shaft 41a when the device cover AC is closed. Further, the lever member 41 is detachable from the lever shaft 41a at the second position.
[0063]
When transporting the thus-configured small color printer, the apparatus cover AC is opened, and the lever member 41 at the first position is manually rotated to the second position. Next, the lever member 41 is removed from the lever shaft 41a, and the device cover AC is closed. At this time, since the lever member 41 has been removed, it does not interfere with the projection 44. In addition, since the protrusion 44 has a clearance, the device cover AC can be closed without interfering with the lever shaft 41a. Then, after the removed lever member 41 is packed together with the small color printer, it is transported. After the transportation, the package is opened, the device cover AC is opened, the lever member 41 is attached to the lever shaft 41a with a screw, the lever member 41 is turned, returned to the first position, and the device cover AC is closed.
[0064]
In the above-described example, a small color printer was described as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine thereof may be used. It is also applicable to
[0065]
Further, among these image forming apparatuses, the present invention can be applied to any of monochrome, two-color, and full-color image forming apparatuses.
[0066]
Further, an image forming apparatus of a direct transfer system for directly transferring an image formed on an image carrier to a recording medium such as a sheet of paper or an OHP film is also used for an image of an indirect transfer system for transferring an image to a recording medium via an intermediate transfer body. It can also be applied to forming equipment.
[0067]
The transfer member is not limited to a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that transfers an image on an image carrier to a recording medium. In an indirect transfer type image forming apparatus, an image on an image carrier is intermediately transferred. In addition to those that transfer images to a body, those that transfer images on an intermediate transfer member to a recording medium are included.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to close the apparatus cover by separating the transfer member from the image carrier and preventing the protrusion from interfering with the lever member. Since the third position is set, the transfer member is separated from the image carrier by transporting the lever member to the third position during transportation, thereby preventing the image carrier from being damaged. In addition, the device cover can be closed without the projections interfering with the lever member, and the device cover can be securely closed, eliminating the need to separately provide fixing means for fixing the cover member that does not close, or preventing the device cover from closing. The inconvenience that the cover member gets in the way can be prevented.
[0069]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the projection of the device cover is moved from the first position, in which the projection of the device cover can be closed without the projection of the device cover interfering with the lever member. Since it is provided outside the range up to the second position where it is impossible to close the apparatus cover due to interference with the member, the projection is formed on the lever member while relatively separating the transfer member from the image carrier with a margin. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the device cover can be closed without interference.
[0070]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the lever member is held at the third position by the holding member, the transfer member is stably held, and the interference of the projection with the lever member is reliably prevented, so that the apparatus cover can be mounted. Can be closed stably.
[0071]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the projection of the device cover also serves as the holding member, the lever member is held at the third position by the projection of the device cover, which is the holding member, without increasing the number of components, and the transfer is performed. The member can be stably held, and the interference of the projection with the lever member can be reliably prevented, so that the apparatus cover can be stably closed. Further, the lever member can be returned from the third position to the second position only by opening the device cover once.
[0072]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the urging member for urging the lever member at the third position to return to the second position is provided, the lever member is immediately moved to the second position by removing the holding member. Returning, the projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member, making it impossible to close the device cover. Accordingly, the trouble of operating the lever member can be eliminated and the labor can be simplified, and the operation of the image forming apparatus can be prohibited unless the interlock switch is normally turned off and the lever member is set to the first position.
[0073]
According to the invention described in claim 6, since the lever member is in the second position and the projection can be detached from the apparatus cover, during transportation, the lever member is in the second position and the transfer member is separated from the image carrier. The transfer position can be used to prevent the image carrier from being damaged. In addition, by removing the projection from the device cover at that time, it is possible to eliminate the projection that interferes with the lever member and to securely close the device cover, eliminating the need to separately provide fixing means for fixing the cover member that does not close, The inconvenience that the cover member that does not close becomes an obstacle can be prevented.
[0074]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the projections are made of the same material as the apparatus cover, there is no need to disassemble the apparatus cover and the projection detachably attached to the apparatus cover when recycling the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing sorting work. can do.
[0075]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the projection is directly attached to the device cover and attached, the projection can be detachably attached to the device cover without using a separate fixing member.
[0076]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the projection is attached to the apparatus cover using the fixing member made of the same material, the time required to disassemble the apparatus cover and the projection detachably attached to the apparatus cover can be reduced when the image forming apparatus is recycled. Separation work can be reduced without it.
[0077]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the lever member is set to the second position and the lever member is detachable, the non-transfer position where the transfer member is separated from the image carrier during transportation is set to the second position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the image carrier from being damaged. Also, by removing the lever member at that time, the lever member that interferes with the projection of the device cover can be eliminated, and the device cover can be securely closed, eliminating the need to separately provide fixing means for fixing the cover member that does not close. In addition, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the cover member that does not close is in the way.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a small color printer shown as an example of an image forming apparatus, and is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an internal mechanism thereof.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part thereof.
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a lever member is set to a first position, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a device cover is closed at that time.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a device cover is closed when a lever member is in a second position.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state when the lever member is at a third position, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state in which the device cover is closed at that time.
[Explanation of symbols]
14B Image carrier
21B transfer roller (transfer member)
40 support members
41 Lever member
44 protrusion
AC device cover

Claims (10)

When the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is set to a transfer position in which the transfer member comes into contact with the image carrier, and the device cover can be closed so that the protrusion of the device cover does not interfere with the lever member. When the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is set to a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, and the projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member to close the device cover. In an image forming apparatus that cannot be used,
When the lever member is in the third position, the transfer member is separated from the image carrier, and the device cover can be closed so that protrusions of the device cover do not interfere with the lever member. An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third position is provided outside a range from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lever member is held at the third position by a holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion of the apparatus cover also functions as the holding member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an urging member that urges the lever member in a direction from the third position to the second position. When the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is set to a transfer position in which the transfer member comes into contact with the image carrier, and the device cover can be closed so that the protrusion of the device cover does not interfere with the lever member. When the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is set to a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, and the projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member to close the device cover. In an image forming apparatus that cannot be used,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the protrusion is detachable from the apparatus cover. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion is made of the same material as the device cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion is directly fitted to and attached to the apparatus cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion is attached to the apparatus cover using a fixing member made of the same material. When the lever member is in the first position, the transfer member is set to a transfer position in which the transfer member comes into contact with the image carrier, and the device cover can be closed so that the protrusion of the device cover does not interfere with the lever member. When the lever member is in the second position, the transfer member is set to a non-transfer position separated from the image carrier, and the projection of the device cover interferes with the lever member to close the device cover. In an image forming apparatus that cannot be used,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the lever member is detachable at a second position.

Images